News 08:00

BULLETIN 15 November 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Fikile Mbalula says the G20 Summit will be attended by all countries except the US
# Jacob Zuma confirms the suspension of MK’s deputy president, pending a formal enquiry
# And NUMSA secures an above-inflation wage deal in the auto sector

# ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, says the G20 Leaders Summit next weekend will be attended by all countries except the United States of America. Mbalula was speaking during the ANC national executive committee meeting in Germiston, Ekurhuleni. He says that although the US has attended and participated in the working groups, it will not be attending the Leaders Summit:

# MK party leader, former president Jacob Zuma, has confirmed the precautionary suspension of the party’s deputy president, John Hlophe, pending a formal enquiry. Zuma met with the party’s parliamentary caucus to reinforce unity and ensure disciplined leadership. Des van Rooyen has been appointed acting party leader in Parliament, while chief whip Colleen Makhubele remains in her role. The party’s Sipho Tyira says the MK Party remains stable and focused ahead of the local government elections:

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has signed a three-year wage agreement with employers in the auto sector which is valid until 30 June 2028, following member consultations. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola says the deal includes a seven-percent increase in year one and a five-percent or Consumer Price Index in years two and three, a higher transport allowance, short-time pay provisions, and a once-off 12-thousand-500-rand strike-free gratuity for all employees:

# The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority urges the public to avoid buying GLP-1 weight-loss products promoted on social media. These products are illegally marketed and falsely claim approval by SAHPRA or local pharmacies. Most are shipped from China and may contain harmful ingredients. Suspicious sales should be reported to SAHPRA. The regulator’s Yuven Gounden says no oral GLP-1 products are approved in South Africa, and people should only use prescribed medicines from licensed pharmacies.

# Several people were killed and injured when a bus hit a bus stop in central Stockholm on Friday.  However, Swedish police stated that they had no information indicating it was an attack. A spokesperson for Stockholm’s rescue services said there were six casualties, without giving the numbers of those killed or those injured. There were no passengers on the bus at the time. The incident is being investigated as involuntary manslaughter, while the bus driver has been arrested. Police would not comment on the number, gender, or ages of those killed or injured.

# And rugby: All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says they have no qualms with a challenge to their traditional haka before this afternoon’s Test against England. A huge encounter is expected at Twickenham, with the hosts trying to defeat the visitors for the first time since the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Before last year’s clash at the same stadium, the English players advanced to the halfway line after forming a V-formation in Tokyo six years ago. Robertson insists any challenge should be done with respect.

Stay tuned for more news………….